There's been lots of talk of queues with this record-breaking exhibition, but also lots of talk about how it's worth the wait. The National Gallery is endeavouring to make the wait to see these masterpieces more manageable with Twitter queue updates, a coffee cart, and free water and newspaper on the weekends, courtesy of The Canberra Times.
And it's still shorter than a flight to Paris!

Currently the best time to visit is from Tuesday to Thursday around 2:00 pm.
Weekends have been busy all day.
Fridays and Saturdays open until 9:00 pm.

In collaboration with the Embassy of France, the Gallery presents a concert of works by Australian and French composers, played by international artist Samuel Berthod (clarinet) and Evgeny Ukhanov (piano)

On average, a visitor spends only 8 seconds looking at an individual work of art. Following on from the Slow Food movement, Slow Art Day 2010 encourages a contemplative approach to art and is celebrated in galleries throughout the world. Spend time looking at works of art, then join the group for a lively discussion over lunch. Participants are to purchase their own lunch.

The midday movie and the history of Australian paintingThursday 29 April 12:00–2:00 pm
Free | Australian galleries

Performance artist Barbara Campbell provides a unique interpretation of the Gallery’s Australian art displays to the accompaniment of the midday movie.